Z-Master 30-watt 3x10" Tube Combo Amp Sweetwater Exclusive Review

'A list of the conditional virtues:

1. the sound is great but that is only something to realize with decent pickups. 1.a. 'Humbuckers on my SG are superb... 2. 'great action, as is more of a norm as in solid-body guitar construction these days, and electronics mater more... 3. 'light weight; very dynamic... 4.

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THE sound...

i bought this amp knowing it was 30 amps so i also got the Z-Air-Brake since i play at home with nearby neighbors. 'Perfect... So happy i bought this!!! Also Z-Drive; you'll be limitless.

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Epic amp

So If you watch Joe's SW interview, he really breaks it down perfectly. I didnt watch it until after i got the amp, again he nailed it. For such a simple amp,wow just wow. Low volume shimmer, no drama, Low volume angry Keef, no worries, pedals at low volume......Holy S If you crank it, the menacing atriculation you get is unreal. I like to crank it, lower my volume and pedal… read more up.......does it nail the who's next tone, all day for sure but it does so much more. The volume control gives it so much versatilty, it sounds good with all my guitars. Joe if you are listening, if i run into you, you will get a hug for what you did here bro> PS...Do yourself a favor and grab the Walrus 385 pedal with this amp> It works on this amp so good its scary

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Z Master is a lifetime amp!

I almost never write about a new piece of gear and lots of it does pass through my hands... But I feel compelled to post about Dr Z's amp... the Z Master ... a collaboration between Joe Walsh and Mike Zaite (the good Dr Z). I was really curious about this amp... why? 2 reasons... I've had a few of the "F" built Handwired Bandmasters (the inspiration for this build) and they are… read more 85% of what I am looking for. "A great thing" and "almost there". Dr Z ostensibly got a whole lot closer to the "real deal" in attitude... and that intrigued me. Secondly, Joe Walsh's famed Bandmaster was used by Pete Townshend to record "Who's Next" - a lesson in tone! So Sweetwater is the only company who sells these amps and they are made in very limited numbers... I bought one... and today it arrived. Considerable "pain" was involved since being in Canada, our dollar is in the toilet and I will no doubt be charged duty. Let's just say that it was made as painless as possible by Sweetwater, yes, I had to have this amp! I am completely impressed... 35 watts and pretty clean sounding... but crank it and you get a little "hair"... but it's always "tight"... it's also always harmonically rich with shimmer and percussion from the 3 x 10 Alnico speaker setup. It's one of those amps that takes pedals well according to Z. He's right about that! It's also one of those amps that sounds great at any volume due to the harmonic content, punch, and fullness. I just ordered a cover for mine... she stays! And I should add that Brian here at Sweetwater was fab to deal with! (No, he's not my brother-in-law :-) ).

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Dr Z Z-Master

Got this amp a few weeks ago mainly for use with my Kemper Stage as my direct monitor. Used several other Tweed amps and other amps for this purpose because the results are far superior to any FRFR monitor solution that I have tried. The Z-Master is with 42 lbs very manageable in terms of weight and very compact for a 3x10" amp. What makes this amp a little different to most amps… read more is that it seems to have a pretty linear response with the tone controls at around noon. The two channels offer a variety of different sound flavors by mixing variable amounts of volume which becomes gain after around noon and more gain after that. The amp has a surprising amount of headroom for a fifties Bandmaster design and takes pedals very well, with the Kemper being no exception. The biggest advantage of this amp is that the spread of the 3 speakers is very even in front and even around this amp. It is not beamy at all. Jamey from 3rd Power was building 3x12" cabs for a while and this is the same concept. Much better sound spread than 4x12 or 4x10 cabs and not beamy. This was my biggest expectation when I ordered the amp and the amp does not disappoint here because I can move around and play at lower volumes with my band in the studio. The amp cuts extremely well without being harsh or ice-picky. While it provides a very solid low end response, it does not seem to interfere much with vocals like it has been often using 12" speakers. The Alnico 10"s were kind of stiff in the beginning but are starting to break in nicely. My friend Eelco Gelling (Cuby&the Blizzards/Golden Earring) told me back in the days "Rene, an amplifier needs air. Get one or two 50 watt Plexi half stacks with low efficiency Green Back drivers and you will be all good to go". Sure thing that I followed his advise, but this hasn't been practical for many years now. Always was looking for that little half stack in a small and portable combo amp format. Never found it except now with the Z-Master. It sounds great at low volumes and killer if you can turn it up. My Gibsons, Strats and Gretsches sound all equally great through this amp and don't loose their sonic imprint which isn't the case with every amp. The Z-Master reminds me a lot of my old Bluesbreaker combo without the significant weight and it is also more flexible. Whether it is a magic design or not, it for sure sounds magic to me. Absolute keeper.

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